It’s a known fact that vaginal anatomy has been an integral part of human biology forever. And yet, in the nearly 2 million years that humans have walked this earth, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that “feminine hygiene” was considered a subject worthy of much study.1,2
In fact, as the Smithsonian points out in an article, even calling products associated with menstruation, genital cleanliness, or vaginal hygiene “feminine hygiene products” is a euphemism to avoid mentioning female anatomy in a culture that has, for centuries, deemed female anatomy “dirty” or “inappropriate.”2
Fortunately, we don’t think female anatomy is dirty or inappropriate, so here we’re going to take a look back at the history of such products: douches, suppositories, washes, creams, deodorants—anything and everything we have used in vaginal hygiene over the centuries—for better or for worse.
Buckle up, because some of these products are pretty wild.
Ancient Antiquity (Pre 500 AD)
There isn’t a lot to go off of here, but most historians agree that during Ancient times, women were mostly simply bathing and using soap and water to cleanse their vulvas. (Albeit rarely.) Some evidence points to the use of douching during Ancient Times, and in fact, according to Karen Harris and Lori Caskey-Sigety, authors of The Medieval Vagina: An Hysterial and Historical Look at All Things Vaginal During the Middle Ages, the Ancient Egyptians invented douching.3
According to these historians, Ancient Egyptian women used douches containing things like garlic, wine, vinegar, water, olive oil, and even tobacco juice to prevent STDs and even hope to prevent pregnancy.3
Middle Ages (5th - 15th Centuries)
Let’s give some context here. During the Middle Ages, from around the 5th to 15th centuries, almost everything to do with the female anatomy was considered “wrong.” Menstruation was largely seen as punishment from God, and even the brightest medical practitioners of the time believed in the theory of the “Wandering Womb.” This theory quite literally claimed that a woman’s womb wandered around the body, causing various ailments where it landed—like hysteria which loosely translates to “madness of the womb.”4
In fact, it was believed a woman on her period could flat out kill with her gaze at that time—specifically pumpkins, apparently. “Take care that women do not come near because if they touch the pumpkins, they will prevent them from growing; they should not even look at them if it is the time of their periods.”4
So with this context, it makes sense that there weren’t a whole lot of vaginal hygiene products on the market. Most research points to the use of simple soap and water to cleanse the vulva during this time, and the occasional use of “vaginal fumigation.” This treatment involved mixing water with herbs, boiling it, and creating a hot steam which was then forced through a tube and into the vagina. This dangerous treatment was prescribed for things like yeast infections, cervical cancer, and menstrual cramps.3
As far as her period went? Likely the Medieval Lady would have used some sort of sanitary pad—perhaps even one stuffed with sphagnum moss, also known as “blood moss,” which had antiseptic properties.4
Renaissance (15th - 17th Centuries)
No surprise here, but in the Renaissance, vaginas and all things female anatomy were still largely considered taboo, so there aren’t a lot of records of how women actually cared for the area. Overall it seems keeping the vulva clean with soap and water (in the rare event you could have a bath) as well as douching were still pretty normal. In fact, things didn’t change in the Vaginal Hygiene Department for over 200 years. So let’s skip forward a beat, shall we?
Modern Period (17th Century - Today)
Vaginal douches remained a mainstay in vaginal hygiene right up until about the beginning of the 21st century; these days most medical professionals don’t recommend douching as it can disrupt the vagina’s natural bacteria and cause irritation.5
Before this, however, women were instructed to use all sorts of ingredients in their douches. Early days saw herbs and plants as we’ve discussed; but by the 20th century, douches got a whole lot more harmful.
In fact, the most popular douche brand in the early 20th century was Lysol, which was advertised as both a “household germicide for use on toilet bowls and a feminine hygiene product.”6 Until 1953 Lysol also contained cresol, a toxic methylphenol that can cause inflammation and burning of the skin. This product even killed five people and resulted in 193 cases of poisoning before 1911.7
Aside from Lysol, the 20th Century saw several other things you definitely shouldn’t put in your vagina; all “at home vaginal hygiene” solutions like sweetened yogurt, garlic, or talcum powder.
So What Should You Use to Clean Your Vagina?
May we introduce you to a 21st Century solution, that’s actually backed by science?
Meet pH Balance Probiotic Wash, the probiotic wash that is gentle and safe to use on your most intimate areas. It’s made from ingredients like oat bran, Lactobacillus Probiotics, lactic acid, and a gentle skin-nourishing blend, all to support your skin’s microbiome, keep skin soothed, and help prevent an overgrowth of bacteria.
Unlike years past, we now know that the vagina is self-cleaning. You don’t need to stick things inside of yourself to keep things fresh. However, the vulva does need gentle care, and most body soaps are too alkaline which can irritate the skin and disrupt pH balance.
This wash includes zero parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or artificial fragrances, and is gentle and nourishing enough to help prevent odor, dryness, or irritation.
So put down the yogurt, the douche, and for crying out loud leave the Lysol for the countertops. It’s the 21st Century and now–finally– we seem to know a thing or two about vaginal hygiene.
(Probably because of female doctors, to be honest.)
